Sway bars - adjustable vs. non-adjustable

[Rittmeister]

I've done a lot of reading and searching on this subject, but I'd like some current opinions. My car is an S13, and will see a few HPDE track days, but is mostly a street car.

Are adjustable swaybars really necessary? I'm looking at Whiteline or Progress, which are adjustable, and Suspension Techniques, which are not. The bars are about the same thickness between all three. The Whitelines/Progress would be a little over $400 for front and rear, the ST about $275.

At this point I am not yet running coilovers. I'm using KYB adjustables and KGMM S21 springs, which are 4.6 kg/mm front and 3.8 rear. The ride is nice around town but the car corners well; I'm looking to exorcise a bit more body roll if possible. I also have every adjustable suspension link known to man, except for LCAs. I've got RUCAs, toe rods, traction rods, and T/C rods in the front.

Anyway, I'm looking for opinions. I'd like to reduce roll, as mentioned, but retain a nice ride on the (very potholed and bumpy) street. I don't know much about sways beyond my research, and the only car I've ridden in with aftermarket sways was a B13. Please keep replies to your own experience, and not what you've heard. I guess I'm trying to see whether it's worth the extra money for adjustability.

FYI - coilovers are NOT an option at this point. I've got the money for sways but won't have cash for coils for quite a while.

[KiDyNomiTe]

retain a nice ride


... you can't if you want to be really competitive...

My suggestion is save the $400 and wait, buy coilovers, sell your old ones.


In terms of swaybars, look into tanabes. Adjustable sway bars are kind of useless because you will more than likely never adjust them other than the first time, and most people I knew ran the exact same settings.

[Wiisass]

During your searching, did you find the thread from a week or two about the Progress bars and what I said about them? If you did, then why are you still asking this question. If you didn't, find that thread.

[yudalicious]

Im always a proponent of doing some hpdes first, then decided for yourself.

[Rittmeister]

Wiisass, I did see your thread and it was helpful. I'm still looking for info on the specific bars I mentioned (other than the Progress).

Maybe I'm asking the wrong question. Does a big swaybar affect ride quality, and if so how?

yudalicious, I may end up going with your suggestion, but I fear with my strut/spring combo right now I'll be rolling onto the door handles, and I'm considering a little help before my first event.

[McRussellPants]

Tanabe Progress or Largus.

Pick one, apply.

done.

[SC_S13]

Tanabe Progress or Largus.

Pick one, apply.

done.
you can always count on russell to cut it clear n crystal haha :bigok:

[overb0ost]

i think tanabe would cause too much oversteer for specific peoples driving styles.

for that reason, im going progress so i have a choice from 6 sway bars front and back.

if i want understeer i can easily change it, if i want oversteer i can do that also.

id set it to an understeer setup after a while tho, because understeer allows you to carry the drifter farther and faster in comparison with an oversteer setup.

[SilviaSR20DET]

i have the tanabe rear sway bar and i dont think it creates that much oversteer.... or it maybe cause i have an open diff but other then that my car is very neutral as of now with coilovers 9k front and 6k rear spring rate.

[staygold24]

Id go with largus. Ive heard great things about them and mate well with stance coils. Im pretty sure tougefactory uses them and loves them.

[Rittmeister]

Not buying Largus, too expensive. I say again, I'm not drifting, so I don't think I need bars that big.

So, thanks for the few pertinent answers I got.

[jmauld]

IMO, if you are really going to get into track days, you should get the biggest bar that you can for the front of the car. Adjustability should come second to getting the right bar. I would keep the rear bar relatively small so that you don't run into inside rear tire lifting problems.

I don't understand why the Largus bars are so expensive. You can have a custom bar made for the same price as a Largus bar.

[RightWheelDrive]

I have the Whiteline bars and have been driving with them for about 2 years. During those two years, I have never needed to adjust them because they already felt very good. I have them set on neutral front/back and that was enough to eliminate any feeling of understeer, even with a 2-way diff and staggered tires. The adjustability is good when you need it but I haven't come across any reason justifying need the change the settings. I wouldn't mind experimenting with the settings but I just don't have the time. As for ride quality, I didn't notice a difference in ride quality and if there was, I prolly got use to it in 10mins or so.

[overb0ost]

anyone have input with tanabe rear sways with coils?

maybe with a 2way diff?

2way diff = understeer while a bar like tanabe would cause oversteer?

neutral feeling maybe with the 2 combined?

[yudalicious]

yudalicious, I may end up going with your suggestion, but I fear with my strut/spring combo right now I'll be rolling onto the door handles, and I'm considering a little help before my first event.

Right now I'm still running a stock front sway with no rear sway (base model S14). If you're anything like me (limited budget), you'll realize that gas, entry fees, tires, brakes, alignments, little things here and there cost ALOT, and you start to really form an idea of what parts you really need versus what parts you can put off until later. I wouldn't worry about body roll for now - if money is not a concern, I would rather invest in a good seat first if you are intent on becoming serious in DEs. Anyhow, eventually you might arrive at the conclusion you need so and so sway bar, in which case I think these other guys have got it covered, good luck, happy motoring.